David R. Guenette

       ARCH ART

 A Note to Wholesalers

If confession is good for the soul, then perhaps it too will help sales: I am only at the start of investigating the potential that a number of my "products" may have in selling into the wholesale market.  I already know, however, that when I speak of "wholesale" I'm speaking of a number of different markets, including the following:

• Fine crafts galleries/stores and the wholesalers that service them

• Architects, interior designers, and interior decorators, and specialty services that meet their needs

• Lighting and display specialists and the suppliers that meet their needs

Wholesale "Product Lines"

As much as I'm not keen to think of my work in terms of "product lines," the shoe fits.  What this term doesn't do justice to is the one-of-a-kind nature of the pieces that can be realized--indeed, not available in any other way--because of the very aspect of these handmade pieces.  Even while the quantity demands of wholesale markets (and the issues of price points and margins) require efficient production planning and capacity, each piece remains hand-built and unique.  I've been met with strong interest--resulting in the ultimate display of interest, sales--in my lamps, wall vases, and slide displays.  The combination of well-crafted wood and ceramic elements that define Arch Art lamps have no direct, comparable competition (at least as far as I've been able to determine after a great deal of searching). 

The Art Lamps Line

Currently, there are several "types" of art lamps, as follows:

• side arch table/desk lamps

• top arch table/desk lamps

• circle lamps

• wall sconces

• furniture lamps

As the lamps displayed in this site illustrate, the variety and differences are great not only between lamp types, but also within a type.  This is because of the following variables:

• ceramic elements can be widely varied in shape, texture, and glaze

• woods used can be varied, both in terms of species (including, too, the use of "multi-wood" blanks) and in regard to finish

• shapes and designs can vary, including in such things as height and format (e.g., table lamp or floor lamp) 

• lighting (such as bulb-type, wattage), electrical elements (such as switches, dimmers), and lens style and material (e.g., Plexiglas, glass, translucent paper, metal reflectors, etc.) can be varied

• other elements such as metal and rock used as counter-weights, bracing and other structural materials, and decorative touches (e.g., use of marbles or ceramics as screw hole covers) provide many opportunities to differentiate among lamps

Wall Vases Line

Wall vases--hand-built, slab watertight containers--provide retailers with lower price point products, even while maintaining the Arch Art ethos of one-of-a-kind production.  Sizes, textures, clay types, glazes, and designs are widely malleable and intrinsically unique.

Light Panels/Slide Displays Line

Since light panels and slide displays are illuminating objects, they are, in effect, a type of lamp.  Indeed, the mixing of function can be intentional, with one example providing service as both slide display and as a desk light.  The types of light panels and slide displays currently include the following:

• round arch 

• slab top

• light panel furniture

• free-form arch

Many of the same variables that apply to Arch Art lamps apply to this line too.  

I Need Answers

As I've admitted, I'm in the midst of exploring wholesale channels for my "product lines."  This means, of course, that I have a lot more questions than answers. Here are the sorts of questions for which I need to get answers:

1. Do the types of lamps, wall vases, and slide displays presented by this site seem compelling as products?  Which ones are more attractive?

2. Do the retail prices seem reasonable?  What is the price point for products such as these? 

3. What premium, if any, may there be to design exclusivity for a particular wholesale buyer?

4. What premium, if any, may there be in local market exclusivity for a particular wholesaler buyer?

5. What type or types of presentation and contact is preferred and effective between producer and wholesaler: email and Web-based catalog, mail (including sending catalogs), telephone, on-site visits?

6. How useful is this website in regard to presenting and information about the production lines from the wholesale buyer's perspective?

7. What are reasonable minimum orders for lamps, vases?

I'm open and eager to learning more.  Please contact me.

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Image poems for the concrete world.  Copyright © David R. Guenette    guenette@comcast.net

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